Fall Prevention

Fall Prevention Tips for Lexington, MA Seniors

Falls are the leading cause of injury to seniors, accounting for 87% of fractures and 25% of hospital admissions. One-third of seniors will experience a fall in any given year, with the majority of these falls taking place at home. Age, physical changes, health conditions, and even some medications can increase the odds of a fall. Fall prevention is a critical way to keep those at risk healthy and safe.

There are many measures you can take to significantly reduce the odds of an elderly family member falling at home. As part of Minute Women Home Care’s mission to keep your loved ones safe, our caregivers can assess any home and make improvements to enhance its safety. This is just one of the many personalized services we offer.

We’re also dedicated to education. See below for some fall prevention tips from our experienced caregivers.

Fall Prevention Tips

Be proactive: remove falling hazards. A proactive plan is always preferable to seeking reactive treatment. Reduce the risk of falls inside the home by eliminating falling hazards in every room.

Install balance bars next to the toilet & shower or tub for extra stability

Use non-slip mats

Install a raised toilet seat

For Living & Dining Room Safety:

Rearrange furniture, so it’s easy for your loved one to sit down & stand up from the couch, dining table, or any other seating

Make it easy to turn lights on & off by putting them all on one switch

Put a cordless phone in each room

How to Minimize Fall Injuries

In the unfortunate case that your loved one does fall, here are some proactive measures you can take to minimize the pain and damage:

Remain active. Physical activity improves flexibility, balance, and coordination. It also keeps muscles limber and joints smooth — so encourage your loved one to stick to a regular walking and stretching routine. Even better, help them out by finding an activity you both enjoy doing together!

Ensure they are getting plenty of calcium & vitamin D for bone strength. Vitamin D and calcium deficiencies are all too common amongst seniors, which is why it is important to make sure they are getting enough of each. Vitamin D and Calcium Supplements help to improve bone health.

Get them a medical alert system. It is imperative for seniors to have a medical alert system that enables them to contact emergency services if they do fall. This way, medical personnel will be on their way even if the senior cannot get to the phone to call for help. The sooner the medics can get to your loved one, the better.

Minute Women Home Care is dedicated to helping you create and maintain a safe, fall-proof environment for your aging loved ones. With just a few proactive adjustments, your home can become a much safer place for your senior family member.